11th January, 2021
The Mary Valley Rattler will use a grant from the National Australia Day Council to recognise the efforts of emergency and front-line workers in 2020, by staging a free community event at Gympie Station on 26 January 2021.
A special Aussie Express train service will steam out of Gympie Station at 10am on Australia Day carrying frontline and emergency service personnel as a thank you for their dedicated efforts in 2020.
The Gympie community is also invited to join in the celebrations and enjoy a FREE Family Fun Day at the historic Gympie Station.
The community event will take place from 8am – 2pm, and will include free kids activities and free entertainment, with local favourites Junction Road, Gympie Blues Club, Aspy Jones and Minnie Marks performing throughout the day. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the Rusty Rails Café.
Mary Valley Rattler General Manager, Micheal Green, said that the day would be an opportunity to celebrate the tireless efforts of emergency staff – as well as the Rattler’s team of volunteers – who had given so much in 2020, in such difficult circumstances.
“I think we would all agree that 2020 has been the most challenging year we’ve faced in living memory, but we’ve come through it and so Australia Day provides the perfect occasion to acknowledge the efforts of those who gave so much to the community in 2020,” said Mr Green.
“Front-line and emergency workers did an incredible job dealing with bushfires, Covid and other emergencies, just as our volunteers helped us survive – and in some cases thrive – during 2020.
“It will be a celebration of ‘local’ and we’d like to thank the National Australia Day Council for giving us the opportunity to celebrate the day with Gympie’s incredible community.”
Further information: www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au